Still smarting from our criminal record from last night, we went in to a new country today, and we’re sleeping with wolves tonight.
After a great nights sleep, we got up and had showers at the parking spot. They were so hot, it almost took my skin off. Then we did a load of washing – pants and socks, got the van ready to go, and then I had the exciting task of emptying the toilet cartridge.
Not as sexy as it sounds, but yet not as gross as you might imagine. Because there’s a little chemical tablet in the cassette, it breaks down all the …….. you don’t need to know the details. Just suffice to say, it wasn’t stinking, and it got done.
We filled the water tank, and set off for Malmo, Sweden. We had to cross a bridge and go under a tunnel from Copenhagen to Malmo. Or was it a tunnel then a bridge. Doesn’t sound exciting, but it actually was. Look at the photos Avrina put up.
Anyway, new country Sweden. And the capital Malmo. It may, or may not be the capital. It’s a big ole place. Now, you will of course remember that we had an issue with the gas. We had been directed by the hire company to go to the Malmo depot where he could sort something out for us. And do you know? He did. Gas cartridges have different fittings in different countries. Who knew? And why not have the same fitting?!!!
Any way, the guy at the Malmo depot gave us a gas cylinder that is used in Norway, an adapter regulator thingy. All for the massive price of 0Euro, 0 Swedish Krona, zip, diddly squat. Which was kind and very helpful. Off we set northwards. Our plan was to do a bit of motorway driving for a couple of hours, have some lunch and then finish our journey to our campsite by smaller back roads.
A lovely little house that we saw in Halmstad. Except it wasn’t a house. It was either a shop or the town Hall.
It wasn’t where we bought the hot water bottles
And that’s exactly what we did. We charged up the motorway to a place called Halmstad, which was quite nice. A bit quiet, and in a way it reminded me of Sudbury in Suffolk. If you know, you know. We had lunch there at a little coffee shop, and I bought Avrina a special present. She was thrilled when I gave it to her – a hot water bottle!!!! To take the chill out of the bed when we first get in. Also, it saves her trying to cuddle up to me with her cold hands and feet.
Then back in the van and we hit the quieter roads. It was really quite pretty. Rural Sweden is nice, a bit reminiscent of Canada, but the towns and cities are ugly and not for me. Avrina suggested we stop off at the seaside for a wee walk on the beach at a place called Skier Strand. Bloody lovely it was. A walk along the shore of the North Sea. It certainly blew the cobwebs away.
Then back in the van and following the quieter roads, through some interesting towns. The Swedish road network is different. Lots of traffic calming measures, and at one point Avrina was sure we were going to hit a bus that was pulling into a bus stop. Here’s a thing. The noise of the wing mirrors collapsing back on themselves is really quite loud. We drove off, Avrina fixing the wing mirror and muttering something about Failing to Stop. I ignored her. We’re criminals anyway.
We eventually arrived at the city of Gothenburg, which is a big industrial city. The city centre is very quaint and historic. I tell this because some years ago, we visited the city on a weekend break. Today, we saw factories and railway stations. But eventually we arrived at our campsite at 17:30. A very helpful employee came out of the reception office and told us the campsite was closed and we should find somewhere else for the night. Mmmmm.
Not the friendly reception we had anticipated. So we searched on our trusty app, park4night, and found somewhere else to stay tonight. We are ‘wild-parking’ tonight. This is just parking up in a car park in a wood, and using our gas and leisure battery to run the systems for tonight. So, tonight we are in a deserted carpark (deserted apart from all the doggers). I hope there are no wild bears or wolves.
Good night all. Fingers crossed we make it.